Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 2

Written Answers. - Dublin Digital Hub.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

56 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position regarding the proposed digital hub in the nine acre site around Thomas Street in the Liberties area of Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4378/02]

John Perry

Question:

66 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the original estimated cost of Dublin's Digital Hub; the original time frame for the completion of same; the current estimated cost of the project; the estimated completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4453/02]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 66 together.

The digital hub, the development of which is overseen by Digital Media Development Limited, DMDL, is designed to cluster Irish and international new media companies, research and development and educational initiatives in the Liberties-Coombe area of Dublin. It is part of the drive to make Ireland an international centre for high-tech research and cutting edge digital industry. In the last couple of months the project has advanced considerably. Last December, I launched DMDL's development strategy which sets out the targets for the first phase of the digital hub. The Digital Hub Development Agency Bill was published on 14 January last. The Bill provides for the establishment of DMDL on a statutory basis as a State agency. Property purchase for the digital hub is almost complete and funding has been allocated for the provision of high-speed broadband infrastructure in the area.

The strategy for the digital hub has been devised to concentrate on the scale and nature of State input to provide the essential facilities and infrastructure to get the project off to the right start over an initial three year period covering 2001 to 2003. Thereafter, the development of the area will be contingent on the level of private sector investment that the project attracts. It is on this basis that, to date, the Government has approved funding for the project totalling €83.01 million. Of this, €51.93 million has been spent on the purchase of property for the hub, including property for Media Lab Europe in line with its establishment agreement. A further €21.71 million is to be spent in the coming weeks as contracts on the remaining properties are closed. In addition to this, €2.29 million has been allocated for the provision of broadband infrastructure in the hub. A current allocation of €7.62 million to cover the operating expenses of DMDL was made for the period 2001 to 2003. Of this, €2.54 million was spent in 2001 and €2 million will be spent in 2002.